THE ART OF TSUKAMAKI The timeless Craft of Japanese Sword Handle Wrapping For centuries, the art of tsukamaki has graced the weapons of samurai, blending strength, elegance, and symbolism. In this richly illustrated guide, Dr. Thomas Buck draws on over 30 years of experience to provide readers with a comprehensive look at this refined tradition. Inside you'll discover: A detailed history of tsukamaki and sword mounting traditions - Complete instructions for crafting over 25 traditional wrapping styles - Guidance on tools, workshop setup, and material selection - Step-by-step restoration, repair, and disassembly techniques - A visual glossary of sword parts, wrap patterns, and temper lines Whether you are a collector, an artisan, historian, or martial artist, this book offers everything you need for your journey into this time-honored Japanese craft. Filled with practical advice, visual glossaries, and historical insights. The Art of Tsukamaki is an essential reference for anyone drawn to the elegance and precision of Japanese sword artistry. About the Author Thomas L. Buck, Ph.D. began studying Japanese swords in 1987 under Dr. W. Y. Takahashi Sensei. As a scholar and practitioner, he is internationally respected for his contributions to the art of restoration and preservation. This was not intended to be an elaborately illustrated book of Japanese sword masterpieces or museum collections, but more of an easy reference to the methods, materials and tools of Tsukamaki, and a practical starting point for anyone interested in Japanese sword handle repair.  The book has a brief history of significant changes in Japanese sword design; a guide to setting up a Tsukamaki workshop; and, easy-to-follow illustrations for twenty-five of the more common styles of sword handle design. I also included three case studies on the disassembly, maintenance, repair and/or rebuilding of sword handles, as well as a visual glossary for the identification and understanding of such things as general Japanese sword parts, temper patterns, blade design, terms and definitions, and signature characters. Dr. Thomas Buck has been collecting and studying the Japanese Art Sword for over thirty years, acquiring his first Samurai Sword in October, 1975. In 1987, with the guidance of Dr. W. Y. Takahashi, Sensei, he began a three year intensive study/apprenticeship of the restoration and preservation techniques of John Grimmitt and Takahiro Ichinose, concentrating his research on Tsukamaki and Japanese Lacquer-ware. Since 1988, he has been performing restoration and research work on tsuka for various institutions, private collectors, and dealers.